A Hamlet man was arrested Friday afternoon after reportedly leading police on a short pursuit through the City of Knox.
Knox City Police Chief Harold Smith says reports of a suspicious person looking into vehicles led officers to the 600 block of Williams Street. An officer reportedly saw a man driving in the area matching the description of the suspect. As the officer attempted to catch up to the vehicle, it sped away at a high rate of speed, according to the report.
Police say a pursuit was initiated which continued up and down numerous residential streets in Knox. The driver, later identified as 37-year-old David Campbell of Hamlet, reportedly damaged several residential lawns, mailboxes and fences while attempting to elude police. A police commission was even damaged after Campbell’s vehicle allegedly struck it.
The pursuit ended when Campbell crashed his vehicle into the fence at the Knox Elementary School playground, according to the report. Campbell ran from the vehicle through the playground area where officers eventually took him into custody. Campbell was injured in the incident after allegedly making numerous attempts to hit police.
Campbell was arrested and taken to the Starke County Justice Center on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement, criminal mischief and a parole violation.
The Knox City Police Department was assisted by the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Starke County EMS.
If residents have damages to report due to this incident, call the Knox City Police Department at 574-772-4122.
Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
